ANZ Premiership young guns off to NWYC2017

Some of the brightest young talent on show in the ANZ Premiership has today been named in the NZU21 team for Netball World Youth Cup Gaborone 2017 (NWYC2017), July 8-16.

The 12-strong team will be captained by Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (SKYCITY Mystics), with Charlotte Elley (Silvermoon Tactix) named vice-captain.

All 12 players selected have experienced the cauldron that is ANZ Premiership Netball, with these experiences against some of the world’s best putting them in good stead to defend their title in Botswana.

Coach Kiri Wills says it has been a tough selection process with all players in the squad stepping up, but the 12 selected have the edge and x-factor required.

“We’ve seen some amazing performances in the ANZ Premiership particularly. The players have shown that they can stand up and that they can be tough – and we’re going to need tough,” Wills said.

“We’ve picked a team that gives us a lot of variety, particularly at either end of the court. We’ve got holding shooters, moving shooters, we’ve got defenders who can play space and play tight man, and so we can mix it up and really use our game plans to our advantage.”

Since the first NWYC in 1988, the NZU21s team has gone on to win Gold on three occasions (1992, 2005 and 2013). They are the reigning world champions having defeated Australia, 52-47, in 2013.

“It’s a great position for us to be in. Generally we’ve been going in as underdogs, but it’s a good challenge to be the defending champions,” Wills said.

“We’ll be fighting for every inch on the court. Gaborone will be an exciting place to play; there are some huge mountains to climb for this team, but I’m confident that they’ve got the will and the guts to follow that through.”

NZU21s team – NWYC2017

NAME | POSITIONS | TEAM (ANZ Premiership / Beko Netball League)

Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (C): GD/WD/GK, SKYCITY Mystics

Charlotte Elley (VC): C/WD/WA, Silvermoon Tactix

Aliyah Dunn: GS/GA, Netball South / Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel

Abby Erwood: GK/GD, Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel

Monica Falkner: GA/GS, WBOP Magic

Fa’amu Ioane: WA/C/WD/GD, Northern Stars

Kelly Jury: GK, WBOP Magic

Kate Lloyd: GK, Hellers Netball Mainland / Silvermoon Tactix

Tiana Metuarau: GA/GS, Te Wānanga O Raukawa Pulse

Kimiora Poi: C/WA, Netball Central / Te Wānanga O Raukawa Pulse

Mila Reuelu-Buchanan: WA/C, Netball Central / Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse

Maia Wilson: GS, Northern Stars